Sword (song)
| "Sword" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Wisp | ||||
| from the album If Not Winter | ||||
| Released | March 14, 2025 | |||
| Genre | Shoegaze • nu gaze | |||
| Length | 2:21 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) | Natalie Lu | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Wisp singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Sword" on YouTube | ||||
"Sword" is a song by American musician Wisp from her debut studio album If Not Winter (2025). It was released through Music Soup and Interscope Records on March 14, 2025, as the album's lead single.
Wisp wrote the song alongside the producers and engineers, Stint, Aldn, and Gabe Greenland. A music video directed by Rudy Grazziani and Valeriya Dyatko premiered alongside the song's release and depicts Wisp in a medieval-themed setting.
Background and release
[edit]Following the virality of "Your Face," Wisp released her debut extended play (EP), Pandora (2024),[1] later announcing that a studio album was in the works.[2] Following a tour in support of the EP in April and May 2024, she began working on her debut album. The song is Wisp's first single of 2025,[3] releasing on March 14, 2025,[3][4] through Music Soup and Interscope Records as the lead single and opening track of Wisp's debut studio album If Not Winter (2025).[2][5][6] Wisp expanded upon the origination of “Sword" saying that it constitutes the shame and confusion people may feel when they're hidden from the world by a loved one.[1][4]
Production and composition
[edit]
The track was performed, written, mixed, and mastered by Wisp, while Stint, Aldn and Gabe Greenland handled the production.
"Sword" is 2 minutes and 21 seconds long. It was created with an electric guitar and drums, Zach Fenton playing the latter and Maximilian Epstein playing the former.
Music video
[edit]Rudy Grazziani and Valeriya Dyatko directed the music video for "Sword",[2][5][7] in Lativa, which then premiered on the same day as the song's release. The music video mainly takes place in a medieval-themed setting.[1][5][7] Wisp is first spotted close to a palatial building before moving in its direction.[2] She is shown roaming through rural areas and opulent settings with an enigmatic knight. Wisp is shown holding a sword and wearing armor as the video comes to a close, a sort of role reversal occurs.[2]
Personnel
[edit]- Stint – producer, lyricist
- Wisp – vocals, lyricist, composer
- Zach Fenton – drums
- George Janho – recording engineer
- Aldn – producer
- Lars Stalfors – mixing
- Ruairi O'Flaherty – mastering
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Chelosky, Danielle (March 14, 2025). "Wisp Shares New Song "Sword": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Adams, Gregory (March 14, 2025). "Hear System of a Down-approved nu-gazer Wisp's new song "Sword"". Revolver. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Garner, Emily (March 14, 2025). "Wisp has released a new single and video, Sword". Kerrang!. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ a b Marotta, Michael O'Connor (March 18, 2025). "Wisp points her nu-gazing 'Sword' towards an eternal light". Vanyaland. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c Hé, Kristen S. (July 30, 2025). "Wisp – 'If Not Winter' review: pop shoegaze with ambition and vulnerability". NME. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
- ^ Murray, Robin (August 1, 2025). "Wisp – If Not Winter". Clash. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Taylor, Sam (March 14, 2025). "Wisp explores a fantasy world with her new single 'Sword' ahead of the System of a Down tour". Dork. Retrieved April 16, 2025.